882.6176 F 51/4

Mr. Harvey S. Firestone to the Secretary of State 9

My Dear Mr. Secretary: November 1, 1922 the British Colonial Office restricted the exportation of crude rubber from their colonies (which produce over 70 percent of the world’s supply) to 60 percent of the normal supply, and as the United States consumes over 70 percent of the world’s supply it was very apparent that it was a serious matter to our commerce, especially highway transportation which is growing so rapidly and is so important to our welfare and prosperity.

I took it upon myself to interest our Government and an appropriation was made in March, 1923 for $500,000 to investigate new sources of supply in the Philippine Islands and Latin America. Being deeply interested, I employed a staff of expert rubber growers and started a private investigation.

I found that Liberia, located on the West Coast of Africa, offered splendid opportunities equal to or better than any in the British possessions in the Far East in the way of land, climate and labor conditions. If the rubber industry could be developed in Liberia on a large scale it would not only bring relief to the United States for commercial purposes, but it would be a great safeguard to us in time of national emergency.

As a result of this investigation, my representatives negotiated agreements with Government officials in Liberia relative to the leasing of land and other concessions, and with the exception of a few minor changes, I am submitting these agreements to you10 with the request that the State Department advise us if they contain anything that would prevent the United States Government from giving this development, if entered into, its moral support and approval, and also give me any opinion or advice you see fit as regards the protection [Page 385] afforded the rights of both parties from a contractual and international standpoint.

Any courtesy extended by you will be greatly appreciated.

Yours very truly,

[
Harvey S. Firestone
]
  1. Printed from a copy; the original letter apparently has been lost. The date of receipt is not known.
  2. Draft agreements not printed. These drafts were prepared by the Firestone Company in the United States and were not identical with those negotiated between Mr. Hines and the Liberian Government at Monrovia in June 1924. For later drafts prepared by the Firestone Company after an interview with the Secretary of State and other officials of the Department, see pp. 389 ff.